Methods and apparatus for automatic dentification wristband

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for automatic radio-frequency identification (RFID). In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a flexible strap comprising a plurality of holes and a buckle configured to buckle to any one of the plurality of holes, such that, when the buckle is buckled to one of the plurality of holes, the strap forms a closed loop. The apparatus further comprises one or more tag enclosures. Each tag enclosure comprises one or more buckles and a RFID tag configured to communicate identifying data to a reader device. The one or more buckles of each tag enclosure are each configured to buckle to any one of the plurality of holes on the strap such that the tag enclosure may be attached to the strap at any one of a plurality of positions on the strap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/425,742, filed on Feb. 6, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/770,802, filed on Aug. 26, 2015, which isthe U.S. national stage of International Patent App. No.PCT/US2014/018650, filed on Feb. 26, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent App. No. 61/769,442, filed on Feb. 26, 2013—theentireties of all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/199,289 (“the '289 application”), filed on Aug. 25, 2011 and entitled“UHF RFID Wristband with a Long Read Range,” which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 61/379,172, filed on Sep. 1, 2010 andentitled “UHF RFID Wristband with a Long Read Range”—the entireties ofboth of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

Embodiments described herein relate generally to wristbands forautomatic identification and tracking, and, in particular, to amultipurpose wristband apparatus that can incorporate any type orcombination of types of automatic identification technology such asbarcode, passive radio-frequency identification (RFID), battery-assistedpassive (BAP) RFID, and/or active RFID.

Description of the Related Art

The technique of identifying objects using radio-frequencycommunications has been eponymously called radio-frequencyidentification (RFID). RFID systems have been employed in anincreasingly wide range of applications such as retail supply chain,postal logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, retail stores, airportbaggage tracking, hospitality, social media, travel, theme parks, etc.In retail supply chain applications, RFID has been used to track andtrace goods throughout the supply chain, automate the receipt of palletsof shipments at distribution centers, increase shipping accuracy ofgoods from distribution centers (DCs) to stores, and manage inventorythroughout the supply chain. In postal logistics RFID has been used tomonitor the quality of service of postal shipments for international andnational mail systems. For instance, a global postal organization hasdeployed RFID to over forty countries around the world (and increasing)to measure and monitor quality of service of mail delivered betweenthose countries. In healthcare, RFID is being used for asset andresource management, as well as patient and staff tracking for improvingpatient flow within hospitals. In airports, specifically baggagetracking, RFID is being used as a replacement to barcode-based systemsfor quicker, more secure, and more accurate transfer of bags to improvethe overall baggage handling rate.

Accordingly, RFID systems have been increasingly employed in diverseapplications to facilitate the identification and tracking ofmerchandise, personnel, and other items and/or individuals that need tobe reliably monitored and/or controlled within a particular environment.The introduction of RFID into these applications has resulted in moresecure, efficient, and accurate systems.

A conventional RFID system typically includes at least one RFIDtransponder or “tag,” at least one RFID reader (or interchangeablyreferred to as an “interrogator”), and at least one controller orserver. The reader inventories the tags and forwards the data to theserver or controller.

At the physical layer of a passive ultra-high-frequency (UHF) RFIDsystem, RFID tags communicate by “backscattering” signals that areconcurrent with reader transmissions, and using a variety of frequenciesand encodings under the control of the reader. This is in contrast toearlier high-frequency (HF) tags based on inductive coupling that onlyprovided read ranges of centimeters, and active tags that requirebatteries to increase their range. There is a class of tags calledbattery-assisted-passive (BAP) that may also be of interest. For someapplications, more range or link margin may be needed than a passivetag, especially in environments with metals and water in whichelectromagnetic waves experience shadowing of energy, destructiveinterference, or strong attenuation. More link margin may lead to betterreading reliability and better interference control in harshenvironments. BAP tags may overcome the read sensitivity limitation ofpassive tags by adding a battery to power the chip. The radio-frequency(RF) signal is then only used to carry the information, not to supplypower to the chip. These tags retain the reverse link of passive tags,i.e., backscatter the response. BAP tags fill the gap between purelypassive tags and the more costly (battery-powered) active tags.

Each RFID reader typically follows a predefined sequence or protocol tointerrogate and retrieve data from one or more RFID tags within the RFfield of the reader (also known as the “interrogation zone” of thereader). It is noted that the interrogation zone of a reader isgenerally determined by the physical positioning and orientation of thereader relative to the tags, and the setting of various parameters(e.g., the transmit power) employed by the reader during theinterrogation sequence.

In systems employing passive tags, the interrogation zone is typicallydefined by the power coupling zone. For example, a typical interrogationsequence performed by a RFID reader includes transmitting a continuouswave (CW) to one or more passive tags within the reader's interrogationzone to power the tags, and transmitting a message packet (e.g., arequest or command) by modulating the carrier signal. The passive tagthen reads the message packet while tapping some of the energy of the CWto maintain its power. The message packet typically identifies one or asubset of the tags within the interrogation zone as the designatedtarget of the message packet, and provides a request or command that thedesignated tag is expected to perform. After the passive tag reads theinformation carried by the modulated carrier signal, the tagappropriately modulates the CW, and reflects a portion of the modulatedwave back to the reader by changing the reflection characteristics ofits antenna via a technique known as “backscatter modulation.”

The physical and logical layers of the communication between the Readerand the tag are defined by the air protocol. Specifically, the airprotocol defines the signaling layer of the communication link, thereader and tag operating procedures and commands, and the collisionarbitration (also known as “singulation”) scheme to identify a specifictag in a multiple-tag environment. The world-wide standard air protocolin the UHF band is currently the EPCGlobal Class-1 Generation 2 (ISO18000-6c) protocol (“Gen2 protocol”). Embodiments disclosed herein mayuse—but are not limited to using—the Gen2 protocol for communicationsbetween the reader and tags.

The collision arbitration (i.e., singulation) algorithm used in the Gen2protocol is called the “Q algorithm” and is a variant of the slottedAloha protocol. At the beginning of a round, the reader broadcasts theround size S to all the tags in its field of view. Each tag, uponreceipt of this initial message, generates a pseudo-random numberbetween 1 and S. That becomes the target time-slot in which the tagresponds. The reader is the time-keeper and advances time by sendingslot messages to the tags. Each tag decrements its target slot counter,and when the counter hits zero, the tag responds to the reader. At thereader receive side, the reader listens for a tag response in each slot.If exactly one tag responds, it initiates a state machine to transactwith the tag. In the case of a collision or an “empty” slot, the readereither decides to resize S and start a new round or proceeds with thecurrent round. This is how a single RFID reader is able to identifymultiple tags in a rapid manner. For example, the singulation rate in adense reader environment is roughly two-hundred tags per second.

The communication protocol used between the reader and the controller orserver is called a reader protocol. The EPCGlobal Low Level ReaderProtocol (LLRP) is currently the standard reader protocol that isemployed by most conventional readers around the world. Embodimentsdisclosed herein may use—but are not limited to using—the LLRP protocolfor communications between the reader and controller or server.

UHF RFID readers operate in the industrial, scientific, and medical(ISM) band and are prone to external interference from cordlesstelephones, wireless headsets, wireless data networks, etc. In addition,there may be interference due to other co-located readers. Each reader'sRF receiver front end must be designed to withstand high-interferencesignal levels without introducing distortion that can cause tag responsedecoding errors. The receiver noise needs to be low so that it hassufficient dynamic range (transmit power-received signal power from thetag) to allow error-free detection of low-level responding tag signals.

A forward-link-limited system may be limited by the receive sensitivityof the tag, and hence, beyond a certain distance, there may not beenough RF energy incident on the tag to energize it and thensubsequently backscatter its response. On the other hand, areverse-link-limited system may be limited by the receive sensitivity ofthe reader, and hence, beyond a certain distance between the tag and thereader, the reader may not be able to decode the tag responsescorrectly. Passive UHF RFID systems are typically forward-link-limited.This is because the state-of-the-art reader manufacturers have done avery good job at designing in sufficiently high dynamic range such thata reader is never backscatter-limited for passive UHF tags. The dynamicrange of the state of the art UHF reader is about 120 dBm and improving.A 120 dBm dynamic range gives a RF link budget of 60 dBm each way. Thus,starting at a transmit power 30 dB with a 6 dB gain, and theforward-link budget of 60 dBm, the limiting receive signal strength atthe tag is −24 dB, which is much lower than the receive sensitivity ofthe best tag available in the marketplace of −18 dBm. Notably, the FCClimits maximum radiated energy—the combination of transmit power at areader port (which can be more than 30 dB to compensate for insertionloss) and antenna gain—at 4 watts EIRP (equivalent isotropicallyradiated power). Thus, the bottleneck with conventional UHF readers andpassive tags is the forward link to the tag.

However, if a battery assisted passive (BAP) tag is used, a differentresult may occur. The receive sensitivity of the state of the art BAPtag is −30 dBm. This means that even at the limit (or the reader'sdynamic range) and beyond it, the BAP tag can be powered and respond tothe reader's signal. This means that the system becomesreverse-link-limited when interrogating BAP tags. This places stress onthe design and implementation of the reader's receive path.

Certain behavior characteristics of electromagnetic fields may dominateat one distance from a radiating antenna, while a completely differentbehavior may dominate at another distance. At UHF frequencies, tagsprimarily use electromagnetic coupling in the far field, which meansthat the readers couple with the tags primarily with propagatingelectromagnetic energy in the far field (e.g., distance greater than twowavelengths). However, when the tag is in the near field (e.g., distanceless than one wavelength) of the reader antenna, coupling occurs usinginductive coupling. One may design tags to couple with a reader antennaprimarily using inductive coupling, giving rise to UHF near-field tags.Embodiments disclosed herein may use—but are not limiting to using—UHFfar-field tags.

A tag inlay may comprise a substrate, an antenna, and an integrated chip(IC). The inlay may be incorporated into a label (optionally printable)with pressure-sensitive adhesive or encapsulated in some other way.

The focus of UHF passive tags has been low cost designs. This has led tovery simple antenna designs, primarily strip-line dipoles. Antennas arecommonly made of aluminum, copper, silver ink, or other low-costmaterials. The power transfer efficiency is the measure of the impedancemismatch between the antenna (R_(A)+jZ_(A)) and the IC(R_(chip)+jZ_(chip)) and is given by T=(4R_(↓chip)R_(↓A))/(|Z_(↓chip)+Z_(↓A)|)^(↑)2. Antennas are typically designed tomaximize the power delivered to the IC, and this typically happens onlyif antenna impedance is the complex conjugate of the IC impedance (alsoreferred to as “impedance matching”).

Conventional tag designs are typically passive RFID tags, meant forgeneral purpose supply-chain use cases, specifically designed for freespace. The performance of such tags may degrade when placed near highdielectrics such as water. The dielectric constant of water is eighty.This loss of performance may result because the close proximity to highdielectric material may cause a substantial shift in resonant frequencyof the antenna causing it to not operate at a resonant mode, hencelosing antenna efficiency and also causing a shift in antenna impedancewhich may negatively impact the power transfer efficiency.

The human body is 60% water. Thus, when a tag that is optimized for freespace is applied to the human body, the read distances may be severelyimpacted. For instance, a tag that reads close to six meters in freespace may not be readable at distances more than half a meter. Suchdegraded performance is typically unacceptable for a UHF-RFID-basedpeople-tracking solution at an enterprise scale. This performance isbasically equivalent to a proximity HF-based solution which is typicallysuitable for door-access type applications, but not for general-purposepeople tracking in indoor environments (e.g., within buildings) oroutdoor environments (e.g., in theme parks, ski areas, etc.). One suchapplication of people tracking in indoor environments is patienttracking in hospitals. Patient tracking typically requires RFID tags tobe in a wristband form-factor. One such application for outdoorenvironments is tracking skiers at a ski resort. The wristband may serveas an access pass or ticket for entry into the ski resort and/or forutilizing or accessing the ski lift or other services available at theresort, so that skiers do not have to remove their gloves in order topresent the pass/ticket at an access point.

Conventional wristbands for patient identification are typically eitherbarcode or HF tag based. Both of these technologies may allow forproximity and line-of-sight based reading. However, such limitations maynot allow for patient tracking across a hospital. As mentioned above,wristband designs based on UHF passive tags may have severely degradedperformance when applied on a patient's wrist.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are wristband designs based onactive tags. However, wristbands built using active tags are typicallybulky. They also may be very expensive (e.g., at least ten times that ofUHF tag based solutions). Due to their high cost, customersconventionally reuse these wristbands. This may introduce a new workflowfor the customer to manage with respect to safety, cleanliness, identitymanagement, and battery life management.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, an apparatus for automatic RFID is disclosed. Theapparatus comprises: a flexible strap comprising a plurality of holesand a buckle configured to buckle to any one of the plurality of holes,such that, when the buckle is buckled to one of the plurality of holes,the strap forms a closed loop; and one or more tag enclosures, whereineach of the one or more tag enclosures comprises one or more buckles,wherein each of the one or more buckles is configured to buckle to anyone of the plurality of holes on the strap such that the tag enclosuremay be attached to the strap at any one of a plurality of positions onthe strap, and a RFID tag configured to communicate identifying data toa reader device.

In a further embodiment, each of the one or more tag enclosures comprisetwo or more buckles, and wherein each of the two or more buckles isconfigured to buckle to any one of the plurality of holes on the strap.

In a further embodiment, the one or more tag enclosures comprise aplurality of tag enclosures. Each of the plurality of tag enclosures maybe buckled to one or more of the plurality of holes such that, when thestrap is formed in the closed loop, two or more spaces between theplurality of tag enclosures along the strap are substantially equal inlength. Additionally or alternatively, the buckle of the strap and eachof the one or more buckles of each of the one or more tag enclosures maybe further configured to unbuckle from each of the plurality of holessuch that the strap may form closed loops of different diameters andeach of the one or more tag enclosures may be repositioned on the strapto accommodate the different diameters of the closed loops.

Furthermore, each of the plurality of tag enclosures may comprise a RFIDtag of a same type. Alternatively, the plurality of tag enclosures maycomprise a first tag enclosure and a second tag enclosure, wherein thefirst tag enclosure comprises a first RFID tag, wherein the second tagenclosure comprises a second RFID tag, and wherein the first RFID tag isof a different type than the second RFID tag. For instance, the firstRFID tag may be an active tag and the second RFID tag may be a passiveRFID tag. Alternatively, the first RFID tag may be a pure passive RFIDtag and the second RFID tag may be a battery-assisted passive RFID tag.

In a further embodiment, the strap comprises a nonconductive elementwhich separates the strap into two portions that are not conductivelyconnected to each other within the strap and that each contain one ormore of the plurality of holes. Furthermore, at least one of the one ormore tag enclosures may comprise two or more buckles and a conductivematerial, such that, when one of the two or more buckles is buckled to ahole in a first one of the two portions of the strap and a different oneof the two or more buckles is buckled to a hole in a second one of thetwo portions of the strap, the two portions of the strap areconductively connected to form a circuit loop. In addition, theapparatus may comprise a power supply, wherein, when the circuit loop isformed, the power supply provides power to the one or more tagenclosures that are buckled to the strap, and wherein, when the circuitloop is not formed, the power supply does not provide power to the oneor more tag enclosures that are buckled to the strap. In thisembodiment, the one or more tag enclosures that are buckled to the strapmay comprise a RFID tag that is configured to: when power is provided tothe RFID tag, operate as a battery-assisted passive RFID tag; and, whenpower is not provided to the RFID tag, operate as a pure passive RFIDtag. Furthermore, one or more of the one or more tag enclosures that arebuckled to the strap may comprise: a RFID tag configured to receive aninstruction from a reader device; and a processor configured to, inresponse to an instruction received from the reader device, turn off apower supply to the RFID tag. The power supply may comprise a printedbattery, a power-generating device, one or more of a kinetic powergenerator, a solar power generator, and a piezoelectric power generator,or a battery (which may or may not be rechargeable).

In a further embodiment, the strap comprises a surface acoustic wavesensor. The surface acoustic wave sensor may comprise a firstinterdigital transducer, a second interdigital transducer, apiezoelectric substrate between the first and second interdigitaltransducers, and a delay line between the first and second interdigitaltransducers. In addition, the delay line may comprise a coating whichchanges in at least one characteristic in response to one or moreenvironmental changes. This at least one characteristic may be one ormore of a conductivity, mass, and elasticity. In an embodiment, thefirst interdigital transducer outputs an electrical signal to the secondinterdigital transducer via the delay line, and wherein the change in atleast one characteristic of the coating changes a length of the delayline, such that a delay of the electrical signal output from the firstinterdigital transducer to the second interdigital transducer ischanged. Furthermore, the strap may comprise a processing circuitelectrically coupled to the second interdigital transducer andconfigured to detect the change in the delay of the electrical signaloutput from the first interdigital transducer to the second interdigitaltransducer or the change in the at least one characteristic.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a sensor tag,wherein the sensor tag comprises: a sensor configured to collect datarepresenting at least one characteristic of a surrounding environment;and an antenna configured to transmit the collected data to a readerdevice. The at least one characteristic of the surrounding environmentmay comprise one or more of a temperature, motion, vibration, moisture,chemicals, radiation, etc.

In a further embodiment, the one or more buckles of each of the one ormore tag enclosures are further configured to unbuckle from any one ofthe plurality of holes on the strap to which it is buckled.

In a further embodiment, one or more of the one or more tag enclosurescomprise an informational area comprising printed or displayedinformation that identifies a subject to which the apparatus isattached.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus further comprises one or moreports for receiving one or more connectors for forming one or morephysical connections. These one or more physical connections maycomprise one or more of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, aserial connection, an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C) connection,three-wire connection, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a schematic diagram that illustrates components of a wristband,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that illustrates components of awristband, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram that illustrates components of awristband, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of a strap of awristband that employs a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor technology,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a sensor tag, according to an embodiment;and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for implementing areporting rule at a sensor tag, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments, a wristband can be attached to a subject, such as ahuman (e.g., a patient, personnel, theme park visitor, prisoner), ananimal (e.g., a pet, a bird for scientific study, a tiger in a wildanimal park, a research monkey), or an object (e.g., a medicalinstrument, a mobile communication device, a consumer product), toidentify and track that subject. Such a wristband can be equipped withone or multiple identification tags having any type of automaticidentification and data capture (AIDC) technologies that enableautomatic and real-time data collection, processing, and/oridentification. AIDC technologies can include, for example, aone-dimensional barcode (linear barcode), a two-dimensional barcode(matrix barcode), a quick response (QR) barcode, a passive RFID(including low frequency (LF), HF, UHF, microwave, etc.), BAP RFID,active RFID (including LF, UHF, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, ultrasound,infrared, ultra wide band (UWB), etc.), biometrics (e.g., iris and/orfacial recognition system), magnetic stripes, optical characterrecognition (OCR), smart cards, voice recognition, surface acoustic wave(SAW)-based sensor, etc.

As used herein, a module can be, for example, any assembly and/or set ofoperatively-coupled electrical components associated with performing aspecific function, and can include, for example, a memory, a processor,electrical traces, optical connectors, software (executing in hardware),and/or the like. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, the term “a rule engine module” is intended to mean asingle engine module or a combination of engine modules configured todefine reporting rules associated with data throughput optimization.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates components of a wristband100, according to an embodiment. The wristband 100 can be similar to thewristband described in the '289 application.

The wristband 100 can be attached to a subject, such as a human, ananimal, or an object. For example, the wristband 100 can be worn by apatient on his or her wrist or other body part (e.g., neck, ankle). Asanother example, the wristband 100 can be used on a bird (e.g., tiedaround a foot of the bird) in a zoo. As yet another example, thewristband 100 can be attached to a medical instrument (e.g., tied arounda cylindrical component of the medical instrument).

As shown in FIG. 1, the wristband 100 includes at least a strap 110, atag enclosure 120 and an automatic identification (Auto ID) tag 130. TheAuto ID tag 130 can implement one or more AIDC technologies. The Auto IDtag 130 can be, for example, a RFID tag. In some embodiments, thewristband 100 can include more components than those shown in FIG. 1.For example, the wristband 100 can include two Auto ID tags, each ofwhich is encapsulated within a separate tag enclosure. As anotherexample, the wristband 100 can include an information area (e.g., asdescribed below) that displays information of the subject.

In some instances, each component of the wristband 110 can be made usingany suitable material that is latex free and/or hypo-allergenic. In someinstances, each material of the wristband 100 may be made ofantimicrobial or microbial barrier protection materials. Alternativelyor additionally, each material of the wristband 100 may be made offlame-resistant, lint-resistant, and/or abrasion-resistant materials.Alternatively or additionally, each material of the wristband 100 may bemade of autoclaveable materials. In some instances, each material of thewristband 100 does not contain any harsh chemical additives. Also, someor all of the materials for the components of the wristband 100 can bewaterproof and/or resistant to other fluids (e.g., oil, soda, blood). Asa result, a person can wash while wearing the wristband 100 or thewristband 100 can be reused by utilizing sterilization techniques (e.g.,autoclaving, disinfecting, etc.).

In some instances, the strap 110 and/or other components of thewristband 100 can include an isolator material to protect the Auto IDtag 130 from being negatively affected by the absorbing effects of humantissue or animal tissue. Such an isolator material can be any suitablematerial with a relatively low dielectric constant that is substantiallyclose to the dielectric constant of air, such as, for example, porcelain(ceramic), mica, glass, plastics, oxides of various metals, etc. In suchinstances, when the wristband 100 is used on a human or an animal, thedielectric material can be positioned between the Auto ID tag 130 andthe human's body or the animal's body. As a result, the antenna of theAuto ID tag 130 can be tuned based, in part, on the dielectricproperties of the isolator material, which substantially prevents theAuto ID tag 130 from being impacted by the absorbing effects of humantissue or animal tissue. Thus, the isolator material can tune theantenna of the Auto ID tag 130 to operate at a substantially optimizedor maximum transmit power or maximized backscatter response, such thatrelatively long distances of data transmission can be achieved by thatantenna. In such instances, the need for special batteries or circuitryfor the wristband 100 can be eliminated.

Additionally, the isolator material can be applied on a uniform surfaceor in a complex structure for the component(s) of the wristband 100. Forexample, the isolator material can be uniformly applied to a bottomsurface of the Auto ID tag 130 (e.g., the part of the Auto ID tag 130that is attached to and in contact with the strap 110) or a surface ofthe strap 110 (e.g., the side of the strap 110 that is attached to andin contact with the Auto ID tag 130). As another example, the isolatormaterial can be applied to the bottom surface of the Auto ID tag 130 ina non-uniform manner that enables a substantially optimal effect forisolating the antenna of the Auto ID tag 130 from the human's tissue oranimal's tissue.

In some embodiments, the strap 110 can include materials, structures,and/or other subcomponents that can provide energy to other components(e.g., the Auto ID tag 130) of the wristband 100. For example, the strap110 can include one or more printed batteries, piezo-electric energysources and/or materials, solar energy sources and/or materials, kineticenergy sources and/or materials, and/or the like. Such materials,structures, and/or other subcomponents can be, for example, attached toa surface of the strap 110 or embedded within (e.g., made as a part of)the strap 110.

The strap 110 can be used to attach the wristband 100 to the subject. Inan embodiment, the strap 110 includes a buckle 160 (aligned with a hole185 as shown in FIG. 1) at one end, and a set of holes 180 arranged in astraight line (or in any other suitable formation) along the length(e.g., the center line, or offset from the center line, e.g., to providesurface area for printed or displayed information) of the strap 110. Thebuckle 160 can be buckled to any hole 180 such that the wristband 110can be adjusted to an appropriate size, thus suitable to subjects ofvarious sizes. The buckle 160 can be coupled, connected, or buckled to ahole 180, for example, by folding the portion of the strap 110 havingthe hole 185 towards the adjacent portion of the strap 110, placing thetarget hole 180 between the hole 185 and the buckle 160, and thenpressing the buckle 160 into the hole 185 and through the target hole180 such that the hole 180 and the buckle 160 are connected. Onceconnected, the portion of the strap 110 having the hole 185 is disposedbetween the portion of the strap 110 having the buckle 160 and theportion of the strap 110 having the target hole 180, with a portion ofthe buckle 160 being disposed within the hole 185 and a portion of thebuckle 160 being disposed within the hole 180. Such a connection betweenthe buckle 160 and a hole 180 can be a permanent connection (i.e., thebuckle 160 cannot be unbuckled from the hole 180) or a temporaryconnection (i.e., the buckle 160 can be unbuckled from the hole 180). Insome embodiments, although not shown in FIG. 1 or described herein,other locking mechanism (permanent or temporary) can be used totransform the strap 110 into a loop.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tag enclosure 120 houses, encapsulates, orhermetically seals the Auto ID tag 130. The tag enclosure 120 can attachthe Auto ID tag 130 to the strap 110 using, for example, adhesive, a tabor slot arrangement, ultrasonic welding, fusion bonding, and/or thelike. In an embodiment, the tag enclosure 120 can be attached to thestrap 110 at a specific position of the strap 110, and not removablefrom the strap 110. In other words, once the tag enclosure 120 isfixedly attached to the strap 110, the position of the tag enclosure 120with respect to the strap 110 will not change. Alternatively, the tagenclosure 120 can be removable from the strap 110.

In some instances, the tag enclosure 120 can be made of durable,moisture proof, and/or hypo-allergenic material, such that the tagenclosure 120 can function as a barrier to protect the Auto ID tag 130from fluid or other types of harm (e.g., impact). Other embodimentsrelated to the strap and tag enclosure of a wristband are shown anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3.

In some instances, the Auto ID tag 130 can be a passive RFID tag suchas, for example, a passive UHF RFID tag. Such a passive UHF RFID tag canhave a relatively large read range such that a wristband equipped withthis passive UHF RFID tag can be used for continuous monitoring ofmoving humans, animals, or other objects within an environment equippedwith RFID read zones (e.g., equipped with RFID readers). In otherinstances, the Auto ID tag 130 can be any other type of RFID tag orother type of Auto ID tag such as, for example, an active RFID tag, aBAP RFID tag, a barcode, and/or the like. Additionally, each Auto ID tag(e.g., the Auto ID tag 130) can have a variable memory size to fit theapplication needs.

In some instances, the Auto ID tag 130 can be connected to a circuit(e.g., a RFID circuit, not shown in FIG. 1) that is attached to orembedded within the strap 110. When the buckle 160 is buckled into ahole 180, a circuit loop can be formed for the circuit, which thenactivates the Auto ID tag 130 (e.g., turns on the Auto ID tag 130 orchanges its status from an inactive mode to an active mode). In someinstances, after the buckle 160 is buckled to a hole 180, the buckle 160can be unbuckled from that hole 180. Thus, the Auto ID tag 130 can beactivated and/or deactivated repeatedly. In other instances, once thebuckle 160 is bucked to a hole 180, the buckle 160 cannot be unbuckled,and thus the wristband 110 is permanently or fixedly locked. In suchinstances, the only way to remove the wristband 110 from the subject isto cut the strap 110, which makes the circuit un-usable and alsopermanently destroys or renders the wristband 100 unusable.

In some instances, the wristband 100 can have an informational area (notshown in FIG. 1) where information about the subject (e.g., human,animal, object), on which the wristband 100 is used, can be displayed.Such information can include, for example, a name of a patient,information of the owner of a pet, a serial number of a consumerproduct, a barcode associated with a medical instrument, and/or thelike. The information can be, for example, printed, pasted,laser-etched, digitally displayed using a programmable display (e.g.,using electronic ink technology, Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED)),etc. The information area can be on the strap 110 (e.g., on one or bothsides of the strap 110), on the front surface of the enclosure 120, on aside surface of the enclosure 120, and/or on any other suitable locationon the wristband 100. Additionally, in some instances, the tag enclosure120 can be made of a clear, anti-glare material such that theinformation displayed on or within the tag enclosure 120 can be easilyread or accessed.

For example, a barcode, including identification information of apatient, can be printed on the front surface of the strap 110 using astandard barcode printer. As another example, a programmable display(e.g., a LCD (liquid crystal display) screen, a LED (light-emittingdiode) screen, OLED, an electronic paper, etc.) can be attached to thesurface of the strap 110 and configured to digitally display informationassociated with a subject (e.g., price of a consumer product, bloodglucose level of a patient, type of access pass for a resort (e.g.,season pass, day pass for a skier at a ski slope), etc.). In such anexample, information of the subject that is displayed on theprogrammable display can be digitally updated using, for example, anAuto ID reader (e.g., a RFID scanner, a barcode reader, etc.).Specifically, the Auto ID reader can obtain updated information of thesubject by scanning, for example, an updated barcode associated with thesubject. The Auto ID reader can then send, via a RF connection, theupdated information to a processor (e.g., a silicon chip, integratedcircuit, radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), software definedradio (SDR), etc.) associated with a programmable display attached tothe surface of the strap 110. The processor can process and then displaythe received information on the programmable display.

In some instances, the wristband 100 can include a flash memory to storedata, and a connector (e.g., an integrated universal serial bus (USB)interface, a serial connector, Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C)connection, three-wire connection, and the like) to read data fromand/or write data to the flash memory. Data stored in the flash memorycan be displayed at the informational area described above, and/or canbe associated with the Auto ID tag 130. The flash memory and/or theconnector can be implemented within the tag enclosure 120 and/orembedded within or attached to the strap 110. In an embodiment, thewristband 100 can be physically connected to any computing device (e.g.,a computer, a mobile device) using the connector, such that data can bedownloaded from and uploaded to the flash memory without beingtransmitted over the air, thus enhancing security of data transmissionbetween the wristband 100 and the computing device. For example, dataassociated with the Auto ID tag 130 can be read by an Auto ID reader viaa physical connection using the connector. As another example, dataassociated with displaying information on a programmable display of thewristband 100 can be uploaded to the flash memory from a mobilecommunication device (e.g., a tablet, a smart phone) via a physicalconnection using the connector. As a result, the programmable displaycan be programmed (using a special program such as LED displaysoftware), based on the received data, to display the informationaccordingly. Additionally, in some instances, data transmission (via aphysical connection or a wireless connection) between the wristband 100and any device (e.g., an Auto ID reader, a computing device) can beencrypted using a suitable encryption mechanism, such that furthersecurity enhancement is provided for the data transmission.

In some instances, the wristband 100 can be equipped with RFID, and/orone or more other automatic identification technologies such as, forexample, a barcode (e.g., a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode),a QR code, etc. In such instances, a label implementing such anautomatic identification technology can be displayed (e.g., printed,laser etched, digitally displayed) at the informational area describedabove or any other suitable location of the wristband 100.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that illustrates components of a wristband200, according to an embodiment. The wristband 200 can be structurallyand functionally similar to the wristband 100 shown and described withrespect to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the wristband 200 includes atleast a strap 210, one or more tag enclosures 230 and 240, and one ormore Auto ID tags 270 and 280. Similar to the Auto ID tag 130 shown anddescribed with respect to FIG. 1, the Auto ID tags 270, 280 canimplement one or more AIDC technologies. In some embodiments, thewristband 200 can include more components than those shown in FIG. 2.For example, the wristband 200 can include more or less than two Auto IDtags, each of which is encapsulated within a separate tag enclosure. Asanother example, similar to the wristband 100, the wristband 200 caninclude an information area (described above) that displays informationof the subject on which the wristband 200 is used.

The strap 210 is structurally and functionally similar to the strap 110of the wristband 100 in FIG. 1. Specifically, the strap 210 includes abuckle 216 at one end, which is aligned with a hole 212, and a set ofholes 214 arranged in a straight line (or in any other suitableformation) along the length (e.g., along a center line or offset fromthe center line) of the strap 210. Similar to the buckle 160 and theholes 180 of the strap 110 in FIG. 1, the buckle 216 can be buckled toany hole 214 such that the wristband 210 can be adjusted to anappropriate size. Moreover, the materials of the strap 210 can besimilar or identical to the materials of the strap 110 described withrespect to FIG. 1.

Similar to the tag enclosure 120 of the wristband 100 in FIG. 1, the tagenclosures 230, 240 may house, encapsulate, or hermetically seal theRFID tags 280, 270, respectively. The tag enclosures 230, 240 alsoattach the Auto ID tags 280, 270, respectively, to the strap 210. Thematerials of the tag enclosures 230, 240 can be similar or identical tothe materials of the tag enclosure 120 described with respect to FIG. 1.The Auto ID tags 270, 280 can use the same type or different types ofRFID technologies or other automatic identification technologies. Forexample, the Auto ID tags 270, 280 can both be passive RFID tags. Asanother example, the Auto ID tag 270 can be an active RFID tag, and theAuto ID tag 280 can be a BAP RFID tag.

In an embodiment, the tag enclosure 230 or 240 can be attached to anddetached from the strap 210. Specifically, the tag enclosure 230 mayinclude two buckles 236 at the two ends of the tag enclosure 230; thetag enclosure 240 may include two buckles 246 at the two ends of the tagenclosure 240. Similar to the buckle 160 in FIG. 1 and the buckle 216 ofthe strap 210, each buckle 236 and 246 is aligned with a hole 234 and244, respectively. Each buckle 236 or 246 can be buckled to a hole 214of the strap 210 in a similar way as described above with respect toFIG. 1.

After the two buckles 236 or the two buckles 246 are buckled to twoholes 214, the corresponding tag enclosure 230 or 240 is attached to thestrap 210 at a position on the strap 210. Furthermore, the buckles 236or 246 can be unbuckled from the holes 214, thus detaching thecorresponding tag enclosure 230 or 240 from the strap 210. Thus, the tagenclosure 230 or 240 can be attached to the strap 210 at any position ofthe strap 210, and can be changed from one position to another positionwith respect to the strap 210. As a result, the Auto ID tags 270 and 280(encapsulated within the tag enclosures 240 and 230, respectively) canbe placed with an adjustable or selectable space in between, and thespace between the two Auto ID tags can be changed based on varyingapplications, environments, and/or uses.

In some instances, two or more Auto ID tags (similar or identical to theAuto ID tags 270, 280) can be attached to the strap 210 with certaindistance(s) in between such that, when the wristband 200 is loopedaround a person's wrist, at least one Auto ID tag is visible to (i.e.,readable by) a reader device (e.g., a RFID reader) within a certainrange from the wristband 200 at any given time, regardless of therelative position of the wristband to that reader device (e.g., when theperson's wrist blocks the line-of-sight between the reader device andanother Auto ID tag). For example, the Auto ID tags 270 and 280 can beattached to the strap 210 at certain positions such that they areopposite to each other on the loop formed by the strap 210. That is, thedistance between the two Auto ID tags along the strap 210 measured fromone side of the Auto ID tag 270 is substantially identical to thecorresponding distance measured from the other side of the Auto ID tag270. As a result, when the wristband 200 is looped around a person'swrist, at least one of the Auto ID tags 270, 280 is visible, at anygiven time, to an Auto ID reader that has a line of sight (i.e., notblocked by an object or human) to the wristband 200. Thus, data can beread from one of the Auto ID tags even when the other Auto ID tag is notvisible (e.g., blocked by the person's wrist) to the Auto ID reader.

Moreover, in some instances, a tag enclosure (e.g., the tag enclosure230 or 240) can be attached to the strap 210 from either side of thestrap 210. Thus, when multiple Auto ID tags (encapsulated within tagenclosures) are attached to the strap 210 on both sides of the strap210, signals (e.g., RFID signals) transmitted towards both sides of thestrap 210 can potentially be received by those Auto ID tags, thussignificantly increasing the coverage of the wristband 200 with respectto data transmission and signal detection.

Additionally, if a user wishes to use only other automaticidentification technologies (e.g., barcode) for identification but notthe RFID tags, the other technologies can be implemented directly on thestrap 210 (e.g., the barcode can be printed on the strap 210). In suchscenarios, the RFID tag and tag enclosure may not be used, which canreduce the overall cost of the wristband 200.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram that illustrates components of a wristband300, according to an embodiment. The wristband 300 can be structurallyand functionally similar to the wristbands 100 and 200 shown anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. As shown in FIG.3, the wristband 300 includes at least a strap 310, one or more tagenclosures 330 and 340, and one or more Auto ID tags 370 and 380.Similar to the Auto ID tag 130 shown and described with respect to FIG.1, the Auto ID tags 330, 340 can implement one or more AIDCtechnologies. In some embodiments, the wristband 300 can include morecomponents than those shown in FIG. 3. For example, the wristband 300can include more or less than two Auto ID tags, each of which isencapsulated within a separate tag enclosure. As another example,similar to the wristbands 100, 200 shown and described with respect toFIGS. 1 and 2, the wristband 300 can include an information area(described above with respect to FIG. 1) that displays information ofthe subject on which the wristband 300 is used.

The strap 310 is structurally and functionally similar to the straps 110and 210 shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.For instance, the strap 310 may include a buckle 316 at one end, whichis aligned with a hole 312, and a set of holes 314 arranged in astraight line (or in any other suitable formation) along the length(e.g., along the center line or offset from the center line) of thestrap 310. Similar to the tag enclosures 230 and 240 of the wristband200 in FIG. 2, the tag enclosures 330, 340 house or encapsulate the AutoID tags 380, 370, respectively. Similar to the Auto ID tags 270, 280 inFIG. 2, the Auto ID tags 370, 380 can use the same type or differenttypes of RFID technologies or other automatic identificationtechnologies such as, for example, passive RFID, active RFID, BAP RFID,barcode, etc.

The tag enclosures 330 and 340 may have the same structure as the tagenclosures 230 and 240, including the buckles 336, 346 that may bestructurally and functionally similar to the buckles 236, 246 shown anddescribed with respect to FIG. 2. Thus, the tag enclosures 330, 340 canbe attached to and detached from the strap 310. As a result, the Auto IDtags 370 and 380 (encapsulated within the tag enclosures 340 and 330,respectively) can be placed with an adjustable or selectable space inbetween, and the space between the two Auto ID tags can be changed basedon varying applications, environments, and/or uses. Additionally, insome embodiments, the tag enclosure 330 or 340 can be a conductive tagenclosure as described below.

In an embodiment, the strap 310 includes a nonconductive substrate 315(e.g., located between two holes 314 of the strap 310 as shown in FIG.3). The nonconductive substrate 315 separates the strap 310 into twoportions that are not conductively connected to each other.Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the strap 310 to theleft of the nonconductive substrate 315 (the portion including thebuckle 316) is not conductively connected to the portion of the strap310 to the right of the nonconductive substrate 315 (the portionincluding most of the holes 314). Furthermore, in some instances, thetwo portions of the strap 310 are not conductively connected unless aconductive tag enclosure (e.g., the tag enclosure 330 or 340) includinga conductive material connects the two portions of the strap 310. Forexample, the tag enclosure 330 (which is a conductive tag enclosureincluding a conductive material) can be attached to the strap 310, whereone buckle 336 can be buckled to a hole 314 within the left portion ofthe strap 310, and the other buckle 336 can be buckled to a hole 314within the right portion of the strap 310. Thus, the two portions of thestrap 310 are conductively connected to each other by the conductive tagenclosure 330 that functions as a conductive bridge.

In an embodiment, the strap 310 can be conductive. Alternatively, thestrap 310 may comprise a non-conductive material and a conductivematerial or layer that is encapsulated or enclosed by the non-conductivematerial (e.g., to protect the conductive layer). In either case, aconductive flow occurs when the conductive buckles 316, 336, 346 eitherpinch through or are snapped through one of holes 314 to form aconductive contact.

In some instances, the wristband 300 can include a circuit (not shown inFIG. 3) attached to or embedded within the strap 310, which is similarto the circuit described with respect to FIG. 1. Such a circuit can beconnected to an Auto ID tag (e.g., the Auto ID tag 370 or 380) when thatAuto ID tag is attached to the strap 310. The circuit can perform aspecial function associated with the automatic identification andtracking operation performed by the Auto ID tag. Such a special functioncan be, for example, providing energy to the Auto ID tag, enabling anantenna of the Auto ID tag to transmit/receive data, enabling a sensorto monitor a pulse of a person or a temperature of the surroundingenvironment, and/or the like.

In some instances, when the two portions of the strap 310 areconductively connected (e.g., by a conductive tag enclosure) and thestrap 310 forms a loop (e.g., the buckle 316 is buckled to a hole 314),the circuit is completed (i.e., a circuit loop is formed), and thusactivated. As a result, the special function is performed by thecompleted circuit, and the automatic identification and trackingoperation is activated or enabled. When the two portions of the strap310 are conductively disconnected (e.g., not connected by a conductivetag enclosure) and/or the strap 310 does not form a loop (e.g., thebuckle 316 is not buckled to a hole 314), the circuit is not completed(i.e., a circuit loop is not formed). Thus, the circuit is deactivated.As a result, the special function is not performed by the circuit, andthe automatic identification and tracking operation is disabled orimpacted.

For example, the circuit can be part of a printed battery that, whencompleted and activated, provides energy to a BAP RFID tag attached tothe strap 310. When the two portions of the strap 310 are conductivelydisconnected or the strap 310 does not form a loop, the circuit is notcompleted, and thus deactivated. As a result, the printed battery isinactive or disconnected from the BAP RFID tag, and thus the BAP RFIDtag is not operating. This can save battery power, for example, beforeuse (extending shelf life) or between uses (extending battery life).When the two portions of the strap 310 are conductively connected by aconductive tag enclosure and the strap 310 forms a loop, the circuit iscompleted, and thus, activated. As a result, the printed battery isoperative or connected to the BAP RFID tag, and thus, the BAP RFID tagis operating. Therefore, when a user of the wristband 300 wants todisable the BAP RFID tag (e.g., to extend the service life of theprinted battery and/or the BAP RFID tag), the user can remove the tagenclosure 330 or 340 that connects the two portions of the strap 310from the strap 310, conductively disconnecting the two portions of thestrap 310 to deactivate the printed battery.

As another example, the circuit can be part of a printed battery that,when completed and activated, transforms a RFID tag attached to thestrap 310 from a pure passive RFID tag into a BAP tag. When the twoportions of the strap 310 are conductively disconnected or the strap 310does not form a loop, the circuit is not completed, and thus,deactivated. As a result, the printed battery is inactive ordisconnected from the RFID tag, and thus, the RFID tag operates as apure passive RFID tag. When the two portions of the strap 310 areconductively connected by a conductive tag enclosure and the strap 310forms a loop, the circuit is completed, and thus, activated. As aresult, the printed battery is operative or connected to the RFID tag,and thus, the RFID tag operates as a BAP tag. Additionally, such a RFIDtag can have a flag setting or digital switch that can be electronicallycontrolled by a control device via, for example, a RF connection. Whenthe flag or the switch is turned off (e.g., in response to receiving asignal from the control device), the printed battery is disconnected(regardless of the connection of the two portions of the strap 310),thus causing the RFID tag to operate as a pure passive RFID tag.Therefore, when a user of the wristband 300 wants to make the RFID tagoperate as a passive RFID tag (e.g., to extend the service life of theprinted battery and/or the RFID tag), the user can remove the conductivetag enclosure 330 or 340 that connects the two portions of the strap 310from the strap 310 (i.e., conductively disconnecting the two portions ofthe strap 310) to deactivate the printed battery. When the user wants tomake the RFID tag operate as a BAP RFID tag (e.g., to provide a betterservice or render a better performance), the user can connect the twoportions of the strap 310, using the conductive tag enclosure 330 or340, to activate the printed battery. Similarly, when an operator of thecontrol device wants to make the RFID tag operate as a passive RFID tag,the operator can operate the control device to remotely turn off theflag or the switch of the RFID tag to deactivate the printed battery.When the operator wants to make the RFID tag operate as a BAP RFID tag,the operator can operator the control device to remotely turn on theflag or the switch of the RFID tag to activate the printed battery.

In an embodiment, the circuit can be part of an antenna circuitry that,when completed and activated, enables an antenna of an active RFID tagattached to the strap 310 to transmit data. When the two portions of thestrap 310 are conductively disconnected or the strap 310 does not form aloop, the circuit is not completed, and thus, deactivated. As a result,the antenna circuitry is deactivated, and thus, the antenna is notoperating. When the two portions of the strap 310 are conductivelyconnected by a conductive tag enclosure and the strap 310 forms a loop,the circuit is completed, and thus, activated. As a result, the antennacircuitry is activated, and thus, the antenna is operating. Therefore,when a user of the wristband 300 wants to disable the active RFID tag(e.g., to extend the service life of the active RFID tag), the user canremove the tag enclosure 330 or 340 that connects the two portions ofthe strap 310 from the strap 310, conductively disconnecting the twoportions of the strap 310 to deactivate the antenna circuitry.

In an embodiment, the wristband 300 can include a power source device(not shown in FIG. 3) that is connected to one or more RFID tags via thecircuit attached to or embedded within the strap 310 as described above.Each of the RFID tag(s) can operate as a pure passive RFID tag or a BAPRFID tag. Such a power source device can include, for example, abuild-in battery (e.g., a lithium battery cell), a power-generatingdevice (e.g., a kinetic power generator, a solar panel, a piezo-electricpower generator, etc.), or any other suitable device that can producepower for the RFID tag(s). A build-in battery can be a replaceablebattery or rechargeable battery. In some instances, a rechargeablebattery included in the wristband 300 can be recharged by, for example,a physical connection (e.g., a USB connector, a serial connector) to anexternal device (e.g., a computing device, a mobile communicationdevice, a power source device, another battery, etc.). In some otherinstances, a rechargeable battery of the wristband 300 can be rechargedby natural resources or energy resources generated by the wristband 300such as, for example, solar energy, wind power, kinetic movement of thewristband 300, heat differential (e.g., between human tissue andsurrounding environment), electromagnetic induction, and/or the like.

As described above, when the two portions of the strap 310 areconductively connected by a conductive tag enclosure, the circuit iscompleted, and thus, the power source device is operative and power isprovided to the RFID tag(s). As a result, the RFID tag(s) can betransformed from pure passive RFID tag(s) into BAP RFID tag(s).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of a strap 400 of awristband that employs a SAW sensor technology, according to anembodiment. The strap 400 can be structurally and functionally similarto the straps 110, 210, 310 shown and described with respect to FIGS.1-3, respectively. In an embodiment, the strap 400 employs a SAW sensortechnology. In some instances, the wristband can include one or moresensors employing the SAW sensor technology and/or any other suitablesensor technology.

As shown in FIG. 4, the strap 400 includes a piezoelectric substrate480, which is made of piezoelectric materials such as, for example,quartz, lithium niobate, lithium tantalate, lanthanum gallium silicate,etc. The piezoelectric substrate 480 can function as a source of energyas described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 3. The strap 400 maycontain two sets of interdigital transducers (IDTs) 410, 420. The strap400 includes a delay line 450 that is between and connects the two IDTs410 and 420.

The piezoelectric substrate 480 helps to convert an electrical signal,generated by the input IDT 410, into an acoustic wave. The acoustic wavetravels from the input IDT 410 to IDT 420 through the delay line 450. Acoating may be applied to the delay line 450 in order to change themechanical, surface wave, e.g., by altering characteristics of the wave.The particular coating used may depend on the type of sensor needed ordesired. When the wave reaches the output IDT 420, the wave is convertedback into an electrical signal (i.e., the piezoelectric effect). Theoutput signal then represents a sensor output.

The IDT 420 is connected to an onboard computation and signal processingcircuit 440 that can be any type of computing device embedded within orattached to the strap 400, and configured to perform computing and/orsignal processing functions. In some instances, the onboard computationand signal processing circuit 440 can include a RFID circuit. In someinstances, although not shown in FIG. 4, the strap 400 can include moreor less than two IDTs. As discussed above, the IDTs of the strap 400 canbe used to convert acoustic waves to electrical signals and vice versaby exploiting the piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric substrate480. Furthermore, the wristband may include an Auto ID tag (not shown inFIG. 4, but similar or identical to the Auto ID tags shown and describedwith respect to FIGS. 1-3) that is digitally connected to the portion ofthe strap 400 that employs the SAW sensor technology. A reader device490 (e.g., a RFID scanner, a barcode reader) can communicate with andread data from the Auto ID tag via, for example, a RF connection. Inthis manner, the sensor output from the output IDT 420 is converted intoa RF signal which is then sent by an Auto ID tag to the RFID readerdevice 490. Additionally, the wristband can optionally include a powersource 430 (e.g., a backup battery) that can provide power to thecomponents of the wristband (e.g., the Auto ID tag, IDTs, onboardcomputation and signal processing circuit 440, etc.) when, for example,the piezo-electric substrate 480 does not function as a source of energyto provide power to those components of the wristband.

The delay line 450 can have a coating that can react to environmentalchange(s) (e.g., a coating having a high carbon monoxide content thatreacts in the event of fire). Several conditions (e.g. vapor, humidity,temperature, motion, etc. or any other chemical or physical condition)can be detected using the SAW sensor technology by coating the portionof the strap 400 that implements the delay line 450 with material orpolymers that undergo changes in their conductivity, mass, or elasticitywhen exposed to those conditions. For example, the coating can cause thedelay line 450 to change in length along the surface of the strap 400 inresponse to an environmental change (e.g., a change in pressure, strain,torque, temperature, and/or other environmental conditions). Such achange in the length of the delay line 450 can affect the spacingbetween the interdigital electrodes of the IDT 410 or 420 (which thenalters the pitch of the output electrical signal from the IDT), and/oraffect the spacing between the two IDTs 410 and 420 (which then altersthe delay of the output electrical signal from the IDTs). As a result,the environmental change(s) can be sensed based on a change (e.g., aphase-shift, frequency-shift, delay in time, etc.) in the outputelectrical signal (e.g., a tag response signal, a signal indicatingupdates in certain fields in a memory associated with the Auto ID tag),which is sent from the Auto ID tag to the reader device 490.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a signal processing circuit 440may assign a binary value or set a flag in the Auto ID tag (e.g., on aRFID chip) based on the sensor output from IDT 420. Then, when queriedby the RFID reader device 490, the Auto ID tag will send this binary ordigital information over RF to the reader device 490. In an alternativeembodiment, RFID antenna(s) (e.g., antenna 520 in FIG. 5) may beconnected directly to the output IDT 420, such that a change in theacoustic wave transmitted via the delay line 450 is directly convertedinto a backscatter response that is transmitted to the reader device490. At this point, the reader device 490 can convert the analogbackscatter response into measured or sensed data by using specialfirmware.

As an illustrative, non-limiting example, the piezoelectric substrate480, input IDT 410, output IDT 420, and delay line 450 may be configuredas a blood sugar monitoring SAW sensor. In such an embodiment, a coatingfor sensing glucose levels on skin may be applied to the delay line 450.Specifically, the coating can be chosen such that it changes theacoustic wave across the delay line 450 in proportion to the glucoselevel in the body. This information can then be converted into a RFsignal which is wirelessly transmitted by the Auto ID tag to the readerdevice 490. The reader device 490 can, in turn, be connected (e.g., viaa wired or wireless connection) to a system (e.g., server or controller)that can send an automatic alert to either the patient whose glucoselevel is being monitored (i.e., the patient wearing the wristbandcomprising the Auto ID tag) and/or medical staff. In this manner, thepatient can be provided the required insulin shots or medication tobring his or her glucose levels to a normal or acceptable state.

In some embodiments, signal strength of the signal sent from a RFID tag(e.g., an active RFID tag, a BAP RFID tag, a passive RFID tag) of awristband can be associated with the environment (e.g., light intensity,temperature, air movement), or kinetic or motion activities of a subjecton which that wristband is used. For example, the signal can bestrengthened when the kinetic or motion activities of the subjectincrease, weakened when the kinetic or motion activities decrease, anddiminished when the kinetic or motion activities stop. As anotherexample, the signal can be strengthened when a body temperature (e.g.,measured by a temperature sensor included in the wristband) of thesubject increases, and weakened when the body temperature decreases.Firmware may be provided on the Auto ID tag to measure the acousticwaves and convert them into meaningful data. Software can be used (e.g.,stored at a memory and/or operating at a processor at a reader device)to derive the temperature increase or decrease from changes inbackscatter and/or tag response signal strengths. In such embodiments,operations of reading data from the RFID tag can be associated with thesignals received from the RFID tag.

Furthermore, an alert or alarm can be triggered based on the detectedtemperature change, kinetic or motion activities of the subject, whichare determined based on backscatter signals and/or tag response signalsreceived from the RFID tag. For example, data can be read or processedfrom the RFID tag only when the signal strength of the signals receivedfrom the RFID tag is above a threshold. As another example, data can beread or processed from the RFID tag only when the signal strength of thesignals received from the RFID tag has been maintained at a level abovea threshold for a certain period of time. As yet another example, analert can be triggered when the detected movement (e.g., determinedbased on signals received from the RFID tag) of the subject crosses athreshold.

As an example, a patient in a hospital can wear a wristband having oneor more RFID tags. The RFID tag(s) send signals when the patient moves,and the signal is strengthened when the speed of the patient increases.When the signal strength is above a certain threshold, a RFID readerstarts to read or process data from the RFID tag(s). Furthermore, whenthe data determined from the signals received from the RFID tag(s)indicate that the movement of the patient (e.g., speed, duration,distance) crosses a threshold, an alert is triggered, and a caregivermay be sent to check out the patient's status. Similarly, the wristbandcan have a temperature sensor that monitors the body temperature of thepatient, and the signal sent from the RFID tag(s) of the wristband isstrengthened when the measured body temperature increases. Thus, analert can be triggered when the detected body temperature of the patientindicates that the patient is having a fever, such that a caregiver canbe sent to check on the patient.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a sensor tag 500, according to anembodiment. The sensor tag 500 can be similar or identical to the AutoID tags shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1-4. Particularly, thesensor tag 500 can be included in a wristband and attached to a strap ofthat wristband in a similar or identical manner as shown and describedwith respect to FIGS. 1-4. In some instances, the sensor tag 500 can bestructurally and/or functionally different from the Auto ID tags inFIGS. 1-4. The sensor tag 500 can be attached to a wristband using anysuitable mechanism such as, for example, adhesive, tab or slotarrangement, ultrasonic welding, fusion bonding, tag enclosure, lockingstrip, rivet, screw, and/or the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor tag 500 includes an antenna 520, a powerconverter 510, a memory 580, a communication module 570, a sensor 540, atransceiver 560, and a processor 550. Each component of the sensor tag500 is operatively coupled to the remaining components of the sensor tag500. In some instances, the sensor tag 500 can include more or lesscomponents than those shown in FIG. 5. For example, the sensor tag 500can include more than one sensor and/or more than one antenna. Asanother example, the sensor tag 500 can be connected to and powered byan external energy source (e.g., a battery).

The transceiver 560 can be configured to enable and control the antenna520 for transmitting data to and/or receiving data from reader devicessuch as a reader device 590 shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, for example,the transceiver 560 can control the antenna 520 to receive, from thereader device 590, programming information associated with implementingreporting rules at the sensor tag 500, and send sensed data to thereader device 590. The reader device 590 can be any device that cancommunicate with and collect sensed data and/or identifying information(e.g., barcode, electronic product code (EPC), tag ID, etc.) from thesensor tag 500. In some instances, the reader device 590 can be, forexample, a RFID reader.

In some embodiments, data can be transmitted between the sensor tag 500and the reader device 590 or other external device using any suitablewireless technology such as, for example, RF transmission, Bluetooth®,Wi-Fi, infrared, and/or the like. Alternatively or additionally, thesensor tag 500 may comprise a communication module 570 which may beconnected to an external device (e.g., the reader device 590 or otherdevice) for data transmission using a wired or other physicalconnection. For instance, communication module 570 may comprise or beinterfaced with a connector (e.g., port, socket, etc.) that provides aphysical interface for one or more of a USB connector, a serialconnector, an I²C connector, a three-wire connector, a data port, etc.As an example, in such instances, the sensor tag 500 may receiveprogramming information from a control device (e.g., the reader device590, a computing device, a mobile communication device, etc.) using awired connection via the connector of communication module 570, and sendsensed data to the reader device 590 using a wireless connection via theantenna 520.

In some instances, the antenna 520 can be configured to collect energyfrom the reader device 590, and then provide the collected energy to thepower converter 510. Using the provided energy, the power converter 510can produce energy to drive each remaining component of the sensor tag500. The sensor 540 can be any type of sensor configured to monitor thesurrounding environment or the subject on which the wristband is used.The sensor 540 can be, for example, a temperature sensor that monitors atemperature of the surrounding environment, a motion sensor thatmonitors movement of a person on which the wristband is used, avibration sensor that monitors a pulse of a patient on which thewristband is used, and/or the like. In some instances, the sensor 540can be a SAW-based sensor similar to the sensor described with respectto FIG. 4. Although now shown in FIG. 5, in some instances, a sensor notincluded in the sensor tag 500 can be operatively connected to thesensor tag 500. For example, a SAW-based sensor implemented at a portionof the strap of the wristband can be connected to the sensor tag 500using circuitry embedded within or attached to the strap. Data collectedby such a SAW-based sensor can be sent from the SAW-based sensor to thesensor tag 500 using the circuitry.

The memory 580 can be, for example, a Random-Access Memory (RAM) (e.g.,a dynamic RAM, a static RAM), a flash memory, a removable memory, and/orso forth. In some instances, instructions, data, and/or otherinformation associated with performing the sensor operation and theoperation of reporting sensed data can be stored within the memory 580and executed at the processor 550. For example, programming instructionassociated with defining a reporting rule can be stored in the memory580. As another example, an implemented reporting rule can be stored inthe memory 580. As yet another example, sensed data received from thesensor 540 can be stored in the memory 580 before being sent to thereader device 590 via the antenna 520.

The processor 550 includes a rule engine module 530. Although not shownin FIG. 5, in some instances, the processor 550 can include othermodules such as, for example, a control module configured to control anddrive the other components of the sensor tag 500, a communication moduleconfigured to control data transmission between the sensor tag 500 andthe reader device 590, and/or the like. In some instances, the processor550 can be connected to and receive data from the sensor 540 via acommunication bus interface (not shown) associated with the processor550. Each module in the processor 550 can be a hardware-based module(e.g., a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP)), asoftware-based module (e.g., a module of computer code stored in thememory 580 and/or executed at the processor 550), and/or a combinationof hardware- and software-based module. In some instances, the modulesincluded and executed in the processor 550 can be, for example, aprocess, application, virtual machine, and/or some other hardware orsoftware module (stored in memory and/or executing in hardware). Theprocessor 550 can be any suitable processor configured to run and/orexecute those modules.

In some instances, the rule engine module 530 can be programmed todefine and/or implement one or more reporting rules associated withreporting sensed data to the reader device 590. Such a reporting rulecan be defined to actively filter communication between the sensor tag500 and the reader device 590 for the purpose of, for example,optimizing data throughput or improving efficiency of data exchange. Forexample, a reporting rule can be defined to report a sensed temperatureonly when the sensed temperature is above a certain threshold. Asanother example, a reporting rule can be defined to report a sensedpulse of a patient only when the sensed pulse of the patient has beenmaintained under a threshold for a certain period of time. Once thereporting rule(s) is implemented at the rule engine 530, the sensor tag500 will report or exchange data with the reader device 590 only whenthe reporting rule(s) are met. In some instances, a sensor tag thatimplements a reporting rule in such a method can be referred to as aprogrammable active decision (PAD) sensor tag.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method 600 for implementing areporting rule at a sensor tag, according to an embodiment. The sensortag can be structurally and functionally similar to the sensor tag 500shown and described with respect to FIG. 5. The code representinginstructions to perform the method 600 can be stored in, for example, anon-transitory processor-readable medium (e.g., the memory 580 in FIG.5) in the sensor tag, and executed at a processor (e.g., the processor550 in FIG. 5) of the sensor tag. The code stored in the non-transitoryprocessor-readable medium can include self-learning and/or self-healingcode associated with performing the method 600 and/or other relatedoperations. Particularly, the code stored in the non-transitoryprocessor-readable medium includes code to be executed by the processorto cause the sensor tag to perform the operations illustrated in FIG. 6and described as follows.

In embodiments which provide self-learning, data or reference values canbe programmed into the processor (e.g., the processor 550 in FIG. 5).Values measured at the wristband (e.g., by a SAW sensor) can then becompared to these stored reference values to compute a difference ordeviation. For example, if the tag is a blood sugar monitoring SAW tag,measured upper and/or lower blood glucose levels can be compared tohealthy blood glucose levels learned for the patient. Furthermore, inembodiments which provide self-healing, the reference values to be usedfor comparison may be selected based on the temperature, sincetemperature variations can affect the applicable reference values.Advantageously, this provides more accurate, real-world results.

At 602, the sensor tag can receive a signal including a programminginstruction from a reader device (e.g., the reader device 590 in FIG.5). Such a programming instruction can be associated with implementing areporting rule at the sensor tag. Particularly, such a programminginstruction can be associated with programming in a rule engine module(e.g., the rule engine module 530 in FIG. 5) of the sensor tag, suchthat the rule engine module can define and execute the reporting rule.In some instances, a programming instruction can be a code or value thatindicates to the rule engine module to implement a particularpre-defined rule. For example, a programming instruction can include acode that indicates to select a threshold from a set of pre-definedthresholds (e.g., 100° F. (Fahrenheit degree), 101° F., 102° F.) forreporting a body temperature of a patient. In other instances, aprogramming instruction can include information associated with defininga new reporting rule. For example, a programming instruction can includecommands and/or data to instruct the rule engine module to define a newreporting rule that a body temperature of a patient be reported when thesensed body temperature increases 2° F. within five minutes.

At 604, the rule engine module can be programmed based on theprogramming instruction to define a reporting rule. As described withrespect to FIG. 5, such a reporting rule can be used, for example, tofilter data sent from the sensor tag to the reader device. As a result,the bandwidth requirement for data communications between a sensor tagand a reader device can be reduced, thereby allowing a reader device tocommunicate with and collect data from multiple sensor tags (e.g., byallowing each tag sufficient interference-free time to successfullycommunicate its information to the reader device) and/or allowing asensor tag to communicate with (e.g., transmit data to) multiple readerdevices. In addition, precious energy onboard the tags may be conserved,thereby extending the battery life of each tag. Additionally oralternatively, filtering can be performed at the reader device on datareceived from one or more tags. However, filtering data on the tags canoptimize the entire communication chain from tag to reader to server.

At 606, the defined reporting rule can be stored in a memory (e.g., thememory 580 in FIG. 5) of the sensor tag. Alternatively, the definedreporting rule can be stored with the rule engine module or any othersuitable location within the sensor tag. Furthermore, in some instances,the defined reporting rule can be modified, updated, or removed, basedon, for example, a new programming instruction received at the sensortag.

At 608, data associated with the surrounding environment can be receivedfrom a sensor (e.g., the sensor 540 in FIG. 5) associated with thesensor tag. As described with respect to FIG. 5, such a sensor can beincluded in or external to the sensor tag. At 610, the sensor tag candetermine, in real time, whether to send the data to the reader devicebased on the reporting rule. Specifically, the sensor tag can determineto send the data to the reader device if the reporting rule is met bythe data, or drop or not send the data if the reporting rule is not met.Subsequently, the data can be sent to the reader device or droppedaccordingly.

Some embodiments described herein relate to a computer storage productwith a non-transitory computer-readable medium (also can be referred toas a non-transitory processor-readable medium) having instructions orcomputer code thereon for performing various computer-implementedoperations. The computer-readable medium (or processor-readable medium)is non-transitory in the sense that it does not include transitorypropagating signals per se (e.g., a propagating electromagnetic wavecarrying information on a transmission medium such as space or a cable).The media and computer code (also can be referred to as code) may bethose designed and constructed for the specific purpose or purposes.Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include, but are notlimited to: magnetic storage media such as hard disks, floppy disks, andmagnetic tape; optical storage media such as Compact Disc/Digital VideoDiscs (CD/DVDs), Compact Disc-Read Only Memories (CD-ROMs), andholographic devices; magneto-optical storage media such as opticaldisks; carrier wave signal processing modules; and hardware devices thatare specially configured to store and execute program code, such asApplication-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Programmable LogicDevices (PLDs), Read-Only Memory (ROM) and Random-Access Memory (RAM)devices. Other embodiments described herein relate to a computer programproduct, which can include, for example, the instructions and/orcomputer code discussed herein.

Examples of computer code include, but are not limited to, micro-code ormicro-instructions, machine instructions, such as produced by acompiler, code used to produce a web service, and files containinghigher-level instructions that are executed by a computer using aninterpreter. For example, embodiments may be implemented using Java,C++, .NET, or other programming languages (e.g., object-orientedprogramming languages) and development tools. Additional examples ofcomputer code include, but are not limited to, control signals,encrypted code, and compressed code.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Where methods and/or schematics described above indicatecertain events and/or flow patterns occurring in certain order, theordering of certain events and/or flow patterns may be modified. Whilethe embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will beunderstood that various changes in form and details may be made.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a flexible strapcomprising a plurality of holes and a buckle configured to buckle to anyone of the plurality of holes, such that, when the buckle is buckled toone of the plurality of holes, the strap forms a closed loop; and asensor tag positioned on the flexible strap and comprising a sensor, amemory, at least one processor, and a radio-frequency (RF) antenna,wherein the at least one processor receives a parameter, representing acharacteristic of an environment surrounding the sensor tag, from thesensor, determines whether or not to report the parameter based on areporting rule stored in the memory, when determined to report theparameter, reports the parameter via the RF antenna, and when notdetermined to report the parameter, discards the parameter withouttransmitting the report.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theparameter comprises a measure of a pulse of a subject wearing theflexible strap.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the parametercomprises a measure of temperature.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe parameter comprises a measure of motion.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the parameter comprises a measure of vibration.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the parameter comprises a measure of ablood glucose level of a subject wearing the flexible strap.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a surface acousticwave sensor.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reporting ruledefines a threshold, and wherein determining whether or not to reportthe parameter based on the reporting rule comprises comparing a value ofthe parameter to the defined threshold.
 9. An apparatus comprising: aflexible strap comprising a plurality of holes and a buckle configuredto buckle to any one of the plurality of holes, such that, when thebuckle is buckled to one of the plurality of holes, the strap forms aclosed loop; and a sensor tag positioned on the flexible strap andcomprising a sensor, a memory, at least one processor, and aradio-frequency (RF) antenna, wherein the at least one processorreceives a parameter, representing a characteristic of an environmentsurrounding the sensor tag, from the sensor, determines whether or notto report the parameter based on a reporting rule stored in the memory,and when determined to report the parameter, reports the parameter viathe RF antenna, and wherein the sensor comprises a surface acoustic wavesensor that comprises a first interdigital transducer, a secondinterdigital transducer, a piezoelectric substrate between the firstinterdigital transducer and the second interdigital transducer, and adelay line between the first interdigital transducer and the secondinterdigital transducer.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the delayline comprises a coating which changes in at least one characteristic inresponse to a change in the environment.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the at least one characteristic of the coating comprises one ormore of a conductivity, mass, and elasticity of the coating.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the first interdigital transducer outputsan electrical signal to the second interdigital transducer via the delayline, and wherein the change in the at least one characteristic of thecoating changes a length of the delay line, such that a delay of theelectrical signal, output from the first interdigital transducer to thesecond interdigital transducer, is changed, and wherein the at least oneprocessor detects the change in the delay of the electrical signal. 13.An apparatus comprising: a flexible strap comprising a plurality ofholes and a buckle configured to buckle to any one of the plurality ofholes, such that, when the buckle is buckled to one of the plurality ofholes, the strap forms a closed loop; and a sensor tag positioned on theflexible strap and comprising a sensor, a memory, at least oneprocessor, and a radio-frequency (RF) antenna, wherein the at least oneprocessor receives a parameter, representing a characteristic of anenvironment surrounding the sensor tag, from the sensor, determineswhether or not to report the parameter based on a reporting rule storedin the memory, and when determined to report the parameter, reports theparameter via the RF antenna, and wherein the sensor tag comprises oneor more buckles, wherein each of the one or more buckles is configuredto buckle to any one of the plurality of holes in the strap, such thatthe sensor tag may be attached to the strap at any one of a plurality ofpositions on the strap.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein thesensor tag comprises two or more buckles, and wherein each of the two ormore buckles on the sensor tag is configured to buckle to any one of theplurality of holes in the strap.
 15. An apparatus comprising: a flexiblestrap comprising a plurality of holes and a buckle configured to buckleto any one of the plurality of holes, such that, when the buckle isbuckled to one of the plurality of holes, the strap forms a closed loop;a sensor tag positioned on the flexible strap and comprising a sensor, amemory, at least one processor, and a radio-frequency (RF) antenna,wherein the at least one processor receives a parameter, representing acharacteristic of an environment surrounding the sensor tag, from thesensor, determines whether or not to report the parameter based on areporting rule stored in the memory, and when determined to report theparameter, reports the parameter via the RF antenna; and a power supplythat powers the sensor tag, wherein the strap comprises anelectrically-conductive material, such that, when the strap forms aclosed loop, the electrically-conductive material forms a completedcircuit loop that activates the power supply to provide power to thesensor tag, and, when the strap does not form the closed loop, theelectrically-conductive material does not form the completed circuitloop and does not activate the power supply.
 16. The apparatus of claim15, wherein the buckle is electrically conductive and at least one ofthe plurality of holes is formed in the electrically-conductivematerial, such that buckling of the buckle to the at least one holeforms an electrically-conductive contact.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the sensor tag is configured to operate in a pure passive modewhen not provided power from the power supply, and operate in abattery-assisted passive mode when provided power from the power supply.18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the power supply comprises aprinted battery.
 19. An apparatus comprising: a flexible strapcomprising a plurality of holes and a buckle configured to buckle to anyone of the plurality of holes, such that, when the buckle is buckled toone of the plurality of holes, the strap forms a closed loop; and asensor tag positioned on the flexible strap and comprising a sensor, amemory, at least one processor, and a radio-frequency (RF) antenna,wherein the at least one processor receives a parameter, representing acharacteristic of an environment surrounding the sensor tag, from thesensor, determines whether or not to report the parameter based on areporting rule stored in the memory, and when determined to report theparameter, reports the parameter via the RF antenna, wherein reportingthe parameter via the RF antenna comprises adjusting a signal strength,transmitted by the RF antenna, in proportion to a change in theparameter.